General Information about BerkeleyThe City of Berkeley is, broadly speaking, in the West Coast of the United States. More specifically, it is in the county of Alameda (not to be confused with the nearby city of Alameda) in the northern part of the state of California. Berkeley is part of the San Francisco Bay Area, a metropolitan region comprising, among others, San Jose, Oakland, and Fremont. The nearest big cities are San Francisco and Oakland, to which Berkeley is seamlessly connected: Oakland is south of Berkeley, and San Francisco is west via the Bay Bridge. The East Bay, as the immediate region around Berkeley is known, also comprises Emeryville, Albany, and El Cerrito.
Berkeley’s population is about 102,000. The University of California, Berkeley (or “Cal”, which refers exclusively to it) itself has an enrollment of roughly 35,000, of which 25,000 are undergraduates, and 10,000 are graduates. Faculty members number an additional 2,000. It’s therefore easy to see why Berkeley’s east caters almost exclusively to the needs of university students and faculty.
UC Berkeley was founded in 1868, and is the oldest among the ten major campuses affiliated with the University of California. It has consistently been ranked as the top public school in the US, and is to be found near the top of most academic rankings of world universities.
Find more information on the City of Berkeley: Official Homepage, Wikipedia, and UC Berkeley: Official Homepage, Wikipedia.
Berkeley has four basic seasons: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – August), Fall / Autumn (September – November), and Winter (December – February).
Note: Temperatures below are provided in Celsius for your convenience. However, the US persists in using Fahrenheit (one of only six countries in the world to do so), so you will eventually have to learn how to convert temperatures back and forth.
Spring: Occasional showers, with temperatures ranging from 5 – 20C.
Summer: Warmer, with temperatures ranging from 5 – 30C, and usually without rain.
Fall: Temperatures ranging from 5 – 20C, also usually without rain.
Winter: Occasional rain, with temperatures ranging from 0 – 15C. It rarely drops below freezing, and snow is seen only once every few years.
One curious fact about Berkeley’s weather is its variability. One can experience a heat wave, with temperatures crossing 30?C one day, and find that it’s below 20?C the next. Expect, also, that when it rains in winter, it will generally rain the whole day. Misty days are not uncommon.
As for clothing, summer clothing is similar to Singapore clothing: t-shirts, shorts, and singlets will suffice, with perhaps a light sweater for cooler evenings. In spring and fall, days are cooler than in summer, and nights are cold, so one would need warmer clothing. For winter, it is advisable to get a waterproof jacket, and scarves and gloves would certainly help. In the US, winter clothing tends to be cheaper than in Singapore, and there is a much wider selection available. If, however, you choose to bring something from home, bring clothing that you can layer, or a good jacket than would last you for three or four years.
It’s also advisable to bring enough undergarments to last at least a week (we recommend two to three weeks, so that you do laundry less often), as well as some formal wear.
California is in the US Pacific Time Zone, which is GMT – 8 (or 16 hours behind Singapore) and GMT – 7 (or 15 hours behind Singapore) during daylight savings.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of adjusting clocks in summer such that daylight is added to evenings. In the US, it begins on the second Sunday of March, and ends on the first Sunday of November. When you arrive in Berkeley in Fall, the time will be GMT – 7, and you will gain an hour in the middle of the semester. However, you will lose this hour (it’s not free =P) in Spring, so remember to adjust clocks accordingly! (Your computer and phone should do this automatically.)
The San Francisco Bay Area is among the most expensive parts of the US, along with New York City. Consequently, you will find that the cost of living here is much higher than in Singapore. In part, this can be attributed to California’s minimum wage of US$8/hour.
You’ll find that an average meal costs US$5-8, and average rent for off-campus housing is about US$700/month. But certain things are much cheaper here, and you should definitely take advantage of this: electronics, books (but not textbooks!), Haagen-Dazs ice cream, clothes (from shopping outlets), and of course, cars and alcohol. (If you are puzzled by the paradox that booze is cheaper than food over here, so are we.)
Homeless people are found all over Berkeley, especially in the south along Telegraph and the west along Shattuck. They may appear threatening, but tend to be harmless in general.
We do receive reports of the occasional robbery or rape, and rarely, even of murder. But as long as you are careful and alert, you should be fairly safe. The University provides night shuttles that provide free trips to areas near campus. If you have to walk alone at night, you can opt for an escort via Bearwalk by calling (510) 642-WALK (642-9255). You may also purchase pepper spray, which blinds and impairs the respiratory system of the person you spray it at.
The general format of calls to Berkeley is +1 510 xxx xxxx. The first digit is the country code of the US, and the next three form the area code - 510 is the East Bay area code. The last 7 digits form the phone number. To make a call back to Singapore, dial +65 xxxx xxxx.
You can buy calling cards that allow you to make calls to Singapore cheaply. Alternatively, you can use calling services such as Skype and Localphone, or instant messaging (IM) programs such as MSN to call back home. You will need a microphone or a webcam connected to your computer in most cases.
It’s best to pick another class. Alternatively, speak to the instructors of both classes to see if one of them might let you take the exam at another time or date. Note that this isn’t likely, because you’re expected to have checked the exam groups before registering for classes.
What you can do is call up the Office of the Registrar at (510)-642-5990 or email orreg@berkeley.edu. Just in case you need to contact the various departments, here is a list of telephone numbers:
College of Engineering: (510) 642-7594
College of Chemistry: (510) 642-3452
College of Letters & Science: (510) 642-1483
Walter A. Haas School of Business: (510) 642-1421
Cal Student Orientation (CalSO) is an orientation programme designed to introduce incoming students to the campus and help them choose classes to take. It’s more applicable to US residents, however, because it involves spending a day or two in Berkeley. Most Singaporeans won’t find it practical to attend, and in any case, SMSA can substitute for CalSO.
That said, you still need an advisor code for Tele-BEARS course registration, so you’ll have to complete
complete this form online.
To get an F-1 (undergrad / grad) or J-1 (exchange) student visa, most people apply through the US Embassy in Singapore. Their website has all the instructions you need, and you should read them very thoroughly. Visas are normally issued in 3-5 working days, but in rare cases can take much longer, so applying in advance is highly advisable.
Before you can apply for a visa, you’ll need Berkeley to send you an I-20 form – instructions for this will become available once you submit your Statement of Intent to Register and work your way through the myBerkeleyApp checklist.
You’ll probably also want to ensure that your passport remains valid for the duration of your studies – otherwise, when you get a new passport, you’ll need to carry your expired passport as well, since your visa would remain in it.
Medical checkups are not required. However, students are required to be immunised against Hepatitis B. You may either submit proof of this, or simply get the necessary shots in Berkeley itself. Aside from this, vaccinations for common illnesses such as chickenpox and influenza might also be a good idea.
Most Berkeley students buy the University’s insurance, called Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), unless they are covered by other sources. Your tuition fees include the SHIP premium, unless you explicitly submit a SHIP waiver by the stated deadline. Generally, you may only waive SHIP if you have alternative insurance in the US.
SHIP covers you both on and off-campus. Most medical services at the Tang Centre (the school’s healthcare centre) are covered up to 80%, with a 20% co-payment. Doctor visits on weekdays cost $15 each, and cost $35 on Saturday. Medication generally costs about $15 (generic drugs), or $25 (branded drugs). If you seek off-campus treatment for major illnesses or seek other services, SHIP will cover you up to 80% (after a $200 deductible) as long as the facility is part of the Anthem Blue Cross network. Tang Centre generally provides referrals for such if they are unable to treat you.
Under the Preferred Dentist Programme, students covered by SHIP also have free access to basic dental services provided by participating dentists.
When opening bank accounts and phone lines, or applying for housing or a driver’s license, you may be asked for a Social Security Number (SSN). However, foreign students are not eligible to receive an SSN unless they hold a full or part-time job in the US, so you’ll have to state clearly that you do not have one and are not eligible for one. (You may then be asked to provide extra deposits or answer some questions – most of these should be reasonable.)
If you do get a job on campus, you’ll be provided with instructions on applying for one. There is a Social Security office in Berkeley, so it’s relatively convenient to do so.
The California Driver’s License is the primary form of identification in this state. Unfortunately, you cannot convert your Singapore license to a California one. (But the California one may be converted to a Singapore one, provided you meet certain conditions.) To obtain a California license, you have to first take and pass the theory test at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Oakland. You’ll then receive a learner’s permit and may drive if a qualified driver is in the passenger seat. Passing the practical test will get you a temporary license, and you should receive a permanent one once it is processed – within one to six months.
If you don’t know how to drive, you can always ask friends or SMSA seniors to teach you, but if you would like a qualified instructor instead, check the Yellow Pages or look for listings online.
Meepok tah, Chinese rojak, and other Singaporean food items are quite difficult to find in Berkeley. Don’t go overboard bringing food though: there are many Asians here, so there is a lot of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese food to be found here. US Customs can also be strict about food items, so pack carefully. You should, however, bring some utensils and cutlery – this will make eating in your dorm room more convenient. Also, you don’t need to bring items such as rice cookers, because you can find such things easily at departmental stores like Target.
Stationery costs up to three times as much here, so you should bring a few months’ supply with you from Singapore. Don’t bring paper, ring files, or punchers though: US paper is sized differently, and files use three instead of two rings.
Textbooks are even worse: they can cost up to five times as much as in Singapore. To save money, get your books from NUS co-op or from Clementi Bookstore. If this does not work out, you can attempt to buy used copies in the US. Options include: amazon.com, comegetused.com, listings on campusbuddy.com, and asking SMSA seniors.
Clementi Bookstore
Blk 450 Clementi Ave 3 #01-297 S(120450)
Tel: 776-2146 Fax: 774-2362
Business hours: M-F, 9.30am-7pm Sat, 9.30am-6pm
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
Bring documentation, like your passport, I-20, exit permit, University correspondence, brochures, handbooks, and if applicable, letter of sponsorship from your scholarship provider.
First, get your Cal 1 Card, your UC Berkeley Student ID, at the Cal 1 Card Office on Lower Sproul. It’ll give you access to the dining commons, as well as to campus libraries (not that you need to go there so soon). In general, you’ll find it very useful in identifying as a Berkeley student.
If you’re living in the dorms (which most of you will be), follow the instructions given by Residential Computing, or ResComp, to activate your internet connection. While waiting for this, you can use the dorm Computing Centers to check email, update Bearfacts with your new address, and deal with other administrivia. Dorm internet is excellent, but take note that the school authorities have very low tolerance for illegal downloading.
If you live in the dorms, follow the instructions given by ResComp to set up your internet connection. For the time being, you can go to the Computing Centers to check your email and update bearfacts with your new address in US.
A top priority will be to open a local bank account, so you can deposit drafts, receive wire transfers, and get a debit card. You don’t need a Social Security Number (SSN) for this, so find a Bank of America or Wells Fargo branch to do this. There are usually good student deals in town, so you should get free (or at least, very cheap) checking/savings accounts. (See “Banking” below for more detailed information.)
In your first week, you should also pay a visit to Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) at the International House. They usually hold compulsory check-ins for new international students (details should be provided somewhere in your welcome package), as well as periodic “Staying Legal” talks. The most important thing they will do is sign your I-20 at the end of your check-in, enabling you to travel freely outside the US and re-enter without hindrance. Take note that signatures must be renewed yearly.
Don’t forget to update your SMSA member profile with your new contact information!
Most of us have accounts with Bank of America, because it has the most ATMs in and around campus. (However, please note that this is not an endorsement of BoA.) BoA has two branches around campus, on Telegraph and Durant and on Center and Shattuck. Their student promotion gives you five years of free checking, with no minimum deposit required.
Setting up is straightforward if potentially time-consuming. You’ll need money, in the form of cash, cheques, bank drafts etc. You’ll also need two forms of identification, such as your passport, Singapore or Malaysian IC, driving license, and so on. (You can try using your Cal 1 Card as secondary ID if you like.)
If your money is in the form of a bank draft, make sure to carry enough spare cash to last you at least a week or two. Bank drafts usually process immediately, but sometimes they may place a 5- to 10-day hold on the bulk of your funds, depending both on the Singapore bank that issued it, and on the amount the draft is for.
Many other banks claim to have better interest rates than BoA. You will probably want to have a look around at the other banks, but in terms of convenience in Berkeley, BoA is likely your best bet.
The US supplies 110V AC power, while Singapore and Malaysia supply 230V. This means most Singapore appliances will not work in the US, and vice versa. Attempting to plug in appliances rated for the wrong voltage will have disastrous results: the appliance will get fried for good. You can circumvent this problem by buying a voltage converter at a hardware store.
However, laptop and phone chargers are generally equipped with converters or converter bricks, so they are safe to use on both sides of the Pacific. If you’re in doubt, check the voltage rating on your appliance before bringing it over.
Regardless of voltage, you will still need socket adapters for appliances bought on one side of the Pacific and used on the other. In the US, sockets come in 2-pin and 3-pin variants (pictures provided), and you should buy the appropriate adapters before coming to the US.
Because Americans tend to adhere to different standards from most of the rest of the world, you may not be surprised to find that what you call a “handphone” is known as a “cellphone” over here.
The network in the US is generally not has good as Singapore's. Cingular offers the best reception and the fewest dropped calls in many situations, especially so further from the city. (Of course, do not expect reception in the mountains or deserts) T-Mobile tends to be cheaper, but the coverage isn't as good.
The major service providers in the Bay Area are AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Verizon uses a CDMA network, while AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. The only important difference that you need to know of between these two standards is that GSM uses SIM cards, while CDMA does not. This means that you are likely to be able to use your Singapore phone on AT&T, but not on Verizon. The caveat to this is that Singapore GSM phones use the 900 and 1800 MHz bands, while American ones use the 850 and 1900 MHz bands. Since most phones these days are tri-band or quad-band, this is unlikely to be a problem, but you may want to check nonetheless.
Not only are American service providers somewhat more rapacious, their networks aren’t as good as Singapore’s. This author personally experienced several months of persistently dropped calls after signing on with AT&T (but he is pleased to report that this has since ceased). In terms of corporate repute, Verizon is also generally held in higher regard than AT&T. Lest this deter you from signing on with AT&T, though, it’s worth knowing that AT&T’s Bay Area coverage is likely superior to Verizon’s, so it remains an open playing field.
Phone plans generally start at an exorbitant $40/month (or more like $50, because they neglect to mention taxes). They usually come with a phone, a contract, and a certain number of minutes. There are several important things of note here. First, if you don’t have an SSN (and most of you will not), you will very likely be asked to furnish a $500 deposit when signing your contract. The deposit is refundable after one year. Second, there is no concept of “free incoming” – all minutes, incoming and outgoing, are included in your plan. Third, you have to pay extra for SMS, or what is known as “text”, again both incoming and outgoing. And you also have to pay extra for data, so that iPhone plan you had in mind will set you back about $80/month. Perks on AT&T include free calling after 9pm and on weekends, and completely free AT&T-to-AT&T calls. Perks on Verizon and T-Mobile… well, this author doesn’t use Verizon or T-Mobile, but I’m sure they have appropriate ones to compete with AT&T.
How can you save money? Get a family plan. A group of three, four, or five can sign up as a “family”, and combine their phone lines under one account. This author brought his phone bill down to $28/month with free unlimited texting by joining a family plan. (Caveat: fewer minutes to go around, and you do not want to exceed those minutes. This will result in ridiculous phone bills.)
Alternatively, look into prepaid plans, offered by all providers.
Back in Singapore, NUS, NTU and SMU have decent offers for the likes of Lenovo, Fujitsu, and such, along with good software bundles. If you don’t know any students or staff and can’t avail of these offers, you’re likely better off buying a laptop in the US. If you’re looking for a PC, your options include taking a bus to Best Buy, or just buying it online. Buying online is popular and cheap, and good deals can often be found on sites like Amazon and Newegg. Generally, the laptop will be shipped to your dorm within a week. If you’re looking for a Mac, you can of course order online from Apple (make sure you get a student deal), or go to Berkeley’s computer store, The Scholar’s Workstation.
If you want to get a desktop, you can get one the same way. You can also buy components online (again, Amazon or Newegg) and build one, or even buy a secondhand one off eBay.
The entire Berkeley campus is wireless-enabled (the network is called Airbears, and it’s CalNet authenticated), but for dorm internet, we recommend getting an 8-10m LAN cable, as this is not only more stable and secure, but also much faster.
As part of your registration fees, you pay $30 for unlimited rides on AC Transit buses, which serve all of Alameda County, i.e. Berkeley and most of its surrounding environs. In order to take advantage of this, get the Class Pass sticker on your on Cal 1 Card from the Cal 1 Card office when the semester starts. Be prepared for a long queue. ? Buses go everywhere nearby, and the Transbay F line also goes to San Francisco.
In addition, the campus provides free safety shuttles late at night, for those of you who will be studying in libraries until 2 or 3am in the morning.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) runs from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Berkeley, and also all the way to Richmond, Pleasanton, and Fremont. The BART is arguably the most convenient means of commuting to and from San Francisco, especially to downtown and the airport. Notable SF stations are Powell (shopping at Union Square), Civic Center / UN Plaza (City Hall), and Embarcadero (take a tram to Fisherman’s Wharf), and of course, San Francisco International Airport. The BART will also get you to Oakland airport, if you’re ever taking flights from there.
For a mass-transit system, the BART is not cheap: roundtrip tickets to Powell cost $6.30, and as much as $17+ for SFO. (BART remains by far the cheapest way to get to the airport.)
Taxis are rare in Berkeley, and a lot more common in San Francisco city. They are easily the most expensive form of transportation there is: taking a taxi from SFO to UC Berkeley will easily cost you $80, tip included. This stretch is about 40 km (or 25 miles), and takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic. You can look up Berkeley and SF taxi companies on the Internet, and they do provide accurate fare quotes if you call in advance to check.
Note that unlike in Singapore, you’re expected to tip service staff such as taxi drivers, hairdressers, and bellhops. The usual amount is 15 – 18% of the bill.
Bayporter and Super Shuttle are airport shuttle services, and they will take you to or from SFO or Oakland International Airport (OAK). Prices are usually about $30 for the first person, and about $10 more for each additional person. The advantage of these services is that they bring you to (or pick you up at) your doorstep, and they can be cheap if you’re in a large group. The downside is that the vans are shared, so they will drop other passengers off, wait for them, and so on. It is usually advisable to make a reservation.
For a university of its size, Berkeley has a remarkably compact campus: you can walk from one end to another within 20 to 25 minutes. Hence walking is your chief mode of transportation. If you plan your schedule with even a modicum of care, you will find that most of the distances you have to walk between classes are unmanageable. (There are, of course, the occasional impossible ones, eg. Kroeber to Tolman – but they’re very rare.)
There are buses that go around the perimeter of campus, but they’re not terribly frequent, and of course, only serve the perimeter. Since the campus is hilly, though, the buses can be a godsend. Don’t want to climb that hill up on north side? Take the bus!
Getting around isn’t so bad, because you do have 10 minutes between classes, thanks to Berkeley Time. Classes start 10 minutes later than officially stated, so 9 am classes will start at 9:10 am.
Owing to under-investment in public transport, cars are the chief means of transportation in California. Cities, such as Los Angeles, tend to be “sprawled” or spread out, so there is often literally no alternative means of getting from point-to-point in most of California, or for that matter, most of America. (New York and San Francisco are notable exceptions.)
If you hold a Singapore Driving License, you can rent a car, and of course, you can rent one with a California Driving License as well. There are car rentals in Berkeley, but it is usually cheaper to rent in San Francisco or at SFO, which will also allow drop-offs in LA. If the driver is under 25, there is also usually an extra free. Prices begin from US$200+ per week, and you should certainly look on the Internet and elsewhere to find the best deals.
Many attractions around Berkeley, such as the shopping outlets at Vacaville (north) and Gilroy (further south), are easily accessible by freeway, but nearly impossible to reach by public transport. For other popular tourist destinations, though, driving is not absolutely necessary. Tour companies operate coaches that will take you to places such as Yosemite National Park, and Sonoma/Napa. Tours usually start and end in San Francisco, though, so you should be prepared to BART down early in the morning.
Most freshman choose to stay in Cal Housing student dormitories – Units 1, 2 and 3, Foothill, and Clark Kerr. With the exception of Clark Kerr, the dorms are close to campus, and they come with a meal plan. Dorm rooms may not be very big in general, but they are convenient. Furniture is provided, as is electricity, a landline phone connection, meals, computer and printing facilities, and libraries and other study facilities. Off-campus housing is generally cheaper, but comes with the added hassles of sourcing furniture, paying utility bills, and cooking meals. (See “Off Campus Accommodation” below.)
A major downside to the dorms is that they close during winter break, so if you are staying in the dorms and plan to remain in Berkeley over the winter, you will need to devise alternative arrangements.
Another option for international students is International House, or I-House, which provides dorm-style rooms, often with financial aid. (Sadly, freshmen are usually not eligible to apply for housing at I-House.)
Most Singaporeans, and in fact most Berkeley students, move out of dorms after first year. The search for housing can be long and arduous, and it typically begins in the months of March/April, and can last until the end of the Spring semester. The most popular, and indeed probably most effective, means of finding a place to live is through Craigslist, an online classified listing.
Prices for accommodation depend on a variety of factors. These include proximity to campus, number of rooms, number of roommates, and living arrangements (sharing rooms?). The best prices SMSA has heard of range from as low as $400 to as high as $1000+ per month.
Moving into private housing is major business. To begin with, you need to find housemates: people you’ll be willing to live in close proximity with. You will then need to find a place that suits the needs and preferences of everyone in the group. Once you find a place, you’ll sign a rental lease. Before signing, you should be aware of things like the duration of the lease (usually one year), number of people allowed to stay on the premises (rent can vary depending on number), and whether subletting is allowed, since you may not be living in the place over summer and may want to source another person or persons to pay the rent in the meantime. You will also want to know if certain utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity are paid for, whether there is parking, what sort of maintenance is provided, and so on. Good offers disappear quickly, so be prepared to make fast decisions.
Once you sign, you will need to begin sourcing furnishing, since unless you’re lucky, the place will likely be provided completely unfurnished. Furniture can be obtained secondhand through various means, ranging from graduating seniors to Craigslist. Buying furniture from Ikea (there is one in Emeryville) is also an option, but take note that their delivery charges are as high as $100 for a bed. Moving this furniture and your other possessions is also very much a pain. You can find movers on Craigslist, or you can rent a U-Haul, find some devoted friends, and do it yourself.
Finally, you will need to settle water, electricity, gas, internet and possible cable TV bills on a regular basis. For Internet, be sure to look for student promotions, by going in person to provider offices if necessary. (Comcast reputedly provides student offers only to those who go to their offices in person.)
The dorms kick you out over the winter break. Best to ask your seniors who are staying off campus if they're going for a holiday - you might be able to rent their spot cheaply :) Of course, it's a good idea to go travelling during these breaks yourself.
The Berkeley Parents Resource provides a list of hotels around campus: http://calparents.berkeley.edu/guide/visiting/stay.html. Hotels close to Berkeley are generally expensive, costing US$100-150 a night for a room. They also tend to get fully booked during the peak seasons, so book early!
The dorms have Dining Commons (DCs), where you purchase meals with the meal points that are allocated to you at the beginning of every semester. Cal Dining meal points can also be used to purchase groceries, at Golden Bear Café on Sproul, as well at Bear Market in Unit 3, although of course, these groceries are significantly marked up. (This remains a good means of disposing of spare meal points, however.).
Meal prices vary depending on the meal. Breakfast is cheapest, and dinner is most expensive. Interestingly, you will find that the meal plan only allows you to purchase two meals a day, leaving you to provide the third meal on your own, or skip it if you so desire. On the plus side, the DCs are buffet style, and the biggest DC, Crossroads, offers significant variety. Menus are put up on the Cal Dining website, and it’s always a good idea to check menus before heading down to the DCs.
Before long, you will get tired of dorm food (menus are repeated every two weeks), and you will inevitably try the other food around campus. Fortunately, there’s a reasonably large variety and amount of this. Cafes and restaurants exist in three main clusters: South (Telegraph, Durant, and Bancroft), North (Euclid, Hearst), and East (Shattuck and environs). Each cluster has its own good food, and you will likely end up trying them all at some point.
Berkeley’s shopping areas are on the south and the west. On the south, Bancroft and Telegraph have a number of eateries and clothing and apparel stores. On the west, Shattuck and University, and Shattuck in general, have a few more such places. Berkeley is a small town and likely won’t meet all your shopping needs, so you can venture further to Bay Street in Emeryville (take a bus or drive), El Cerrito Plaza (BART), or of course, San Francisco (BART). For heavy-duty shopping, go to the factory outlets at Vacaville or Gilroy – but you’ll almost definitely need a car.
Berkeley has a Recreational Sports Facility (RSF), which has a gym, a swimming pool, and badminton courts, among others. The RSF also offers a number of fitness and exercise classes. Membership is open to all Berkeley students, for a fee of $10 a semester. If you prefer your exercise outdoors, the Berkeley Hills are great to hike up on a sunny day, and the Berkeley Marina is a nice place to fly a kite.
Location & Facts